“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
This verse is given at the end of the great “resurrection” chapter, where Paul presents a powerful case for the resurrection of Christ. He begins the chapter by declaring the gospel—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. He goes on to tell us that more than five hundred brethren saw Jesus. We don’t know who these men were, but Paul then names some well-known witnesses and even testifies that he saw the risen Christ himself. Some in Corinth claimed there was no resurrection. Paul strongly refutes this, reminding us that if Christ is not risen, our preaching is in vain, our faith is empty, and we are still in our sins. If Christ is not risen, then those who have died in Him are lost, and we are the most miserable people in the world. But Paul doesn’t leave us there. He shifts focus and writes about the Lord’s return, when He will rule
and reign with all authority and power. As the passage draws to a close, Paul gives us a glimpse of the glorified bodies that God will give us. We serve a risen Savior! He is alive—and that makes all the difference. Because Jesus lives, we will live also! If He can conquer death, what can He not do? He can save anyone who comes to Him by faith. He gives His presence in the midst of trouble, His direction when we are overwhelmed, His provision when we are in need, and His peace in the middle of chaos. He empowers us to accomplish the work He has left for us to do. Our Lord is coming again—and thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of this, we plant our feet, steadfast and unmoveable, and we give ourselves entirely to the work of the Lord—for His honor and glory! Finally, He leaves us with the promise that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Paul uses the word labour, which refers to intense work united with trouble and toil. It implies pain, weariness, and hardship. Let me encourage you: keep on keeping on for the glory of God. He sees it all, He will help us endure, and He will reward our faithfulness. In this edition, you’ll hear from some of our Lord’s faithful servants—newly ABA-Recommended Missionaries. I hope you enjoy reading about their fields of labor and the work God has called them to. I pray that you will commit to supporting them through your words of encouragement and faithful prayers. Let me leave you the way I began:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”